Aru kingdom

Aru (كراجأن ارو; or Haru) was a major Sumatran kingdom from the 13th to the 16th century. It was located on the eastern coast of North Sumatra, Indonesia. In its heyday the kingdom was a formidable maritime power, and was able to control the northern part of the Malacca strait.

The kingdom was initially established as a Karo polity. The indigenous population practiced native animism as well as Hinduism. During the 13th century, Islam came to be practiced alongside the existing faiths. Aru's capital was located close to present-day Medan and Deli Serdang. The people of the kingdom are believed to have been descendants of the Malay and Karo people from the interior of North Sumatra.